The No. 18-ranked University of Michigan water polo team (16-12) will seek its 12th consecutive divisional title this weekend (Sat-Sun., April 13-14) in Geneva, Ohio, when it participates in the CWPA Western Division Championship at the SPIRE Institute.

As the tournament's No. 2 seed, the Wolverines will open tournament play against No. 3 seed Indiana (16-12) on Saturday (April 13) at 2:15 p.m. Depending on the outcome, U-M will play again at either 7 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. Michigan is guaranteed to play on Sunday (April 14). The third-place game is scheduled for 10 a.m., while the championship game is 11:30 a.m.

 Michigan is looking to extend its CWPA division championship streak to 12 this weekend. The streak began in 2002 when U-M downed Princeton for the southern division title and has continued through another southern crown and nine straight western division titles. The Wolverines are 34-1 at the divisional championship and a perfect 22-0 since realigning into the western division.

 U-M earned the No. 2 seed after falling to Hartwick, 10-6, in its opening game of the Brown Bear Invitational (April 5), finishing the regular season with a 3-1 division record. It is only the second time in six years that the Wolverines did not carry the No. 1 seed into the division championship. Last year, Michigan captured its 11th straight title from the No. 3 seed.

 Michigan and Indiana will meet for the second consecutive year, and 10th time overall, at the CWPA Western Division Championship. The programs have never before met in the first round. Michigan is a perfect 10-0 against its rival in the division tournament.

 The Wolverines defeated Indiana, 8-7 in overtime, in their only series meeting this season just two weeks ago (March 30). Junior Audrey Pratt netted the game-winner on a cross-cage shot late in the first overtime frame, while junior Kelsey Nolan boasted a hat trick, earning two goals in the fourth quarter, including the game-tying marker with 1:40 remaining in regulation. Senior goalkeeper Alex Adamson posted a career-best 17 saves and assisted on the game-winning goal.

 Senior goalkeeper Alex Adamson boasts 23 assists on the season and 101 in her collegiate career. She currently ranks 10th among U-M's all-time leaders in the category -- the only goalkeeper among the list -- and needs seven more to move to the ninth spot, currently held by Mary Chatigny (108, 2006-09).

 Senior Kiki Golden also ranks among U-M's assist leaders with 126 over her four-year tenure, moving to the fourth spot with six helpers at the Brown Bear Invitational (April 5-6). She needs four more to reach the third spot, currently held by Lauren Orth (130, 2008-11). Golden also ranks among U-M's top-five leaders in goals (199, 4th), points (322, 4th) and steals (273, 2nd).

 Freshman Presley Pender boasted a career-best four goals against CSU Bakersfield. She leads the freshmen with 33 goals on the season.

Q: Are you excited to start the postseason? The whole season builds up to this point, so are you ready to dive into these last few tournaments?
A: It's really exciting. We have worked together as a team to improve throughout the season -- from preseason and through the few months -- to get to this point in time. I think we're ready. With everything we've experienced over the course of the season, we've improved so much as a team. I think the team should have a lot of confidence that we can and should do well.

Q: How has your season been personally?
A: It's definitely been a transition. I come from a really small club team. I've learned so much from being a part of this team. There were definitely times that were challenging, but the transition was made so much easier by having such a supportive team where everybody gets along well together.

Q: The team had its recent win streak snapped last weekend at the Brown Bear Invitational. Do you think that could somehow help going into the postseason?
A: Obviously, we would have preferred to win all those games. But everything happens for a reason. We learned from it -- learned from mistakes that we made -- and I think in the long run, it will help us.

Q: Michigan faces Indiana in its first game of the division championship. You got your first taste of that rivalry just recently. Are you excited to face them again?
A: Yeah. We're always excited to play Indiana. It will be interesting to see if there will be any changes from the last time. We've only seen them once before this year, which I know is a little different than previous years. I think it will be a great game.

LAST TIME OUT
Michigan split its four games at the Brown Bear Invitational last weekend (April 5-6), falling to No. 20 Hartwick (10-6) and No. 3 Arizona State (10-8) while defeating CSU Bakersfield (12-5) and host Brown (11-7). Seniors Kiki Golden and Lauren Colton scored at least one goal in each game; Golden led the Wolverines with nine markers over the weekend, while Colton posted six. Both tallied hat tricks in the finale against the Brown Bears. Senior goalkeeper Alex Adamson notched 40 saves in the Wolverine net, including 13 in back-to-back games against ASU and Brown. [ Recaps: Day 1 | Day 2 ]